Convert Dynamic to Basic Disk

[ronaries10]

Just got a 1 TB Samsung Sata disk and in error made it a DYNAMIC disk as my system did not recognize it to partition otherwise. I used the Disk Mgr within WinXPpro.

I am using this disk externally (e-sata on BlacX ) with WinXP Pro SP3 in a Dell 530 with 3 GB ram; esata capablitity from 3rd pty pci card)
In reading forum posts, it looks like I erred and should have found a way to make this a basic drive ...however, I've not had this issue come up before in 3 recent large drive partitions. Maybe because its a Samsung?

My Easeus download would not convert the drive, and the pro version required $70 to do so...whihch I resist - the drive isn't worth that much! I own Acronis TI vers 9 and 10.... but don;t know if they can correct this issue. I uninstalled my Easeus free version in order to install the demo pro version - which was not of any assistance at all.

My goal here is simply to partition and format the Samsung drive to use as a backup drive - prefereably using freeware.
I appreciate all help!

[Statica]

I'm unclear .. are you trying to convert without your data lost?
Have you tried using Disk Management Console to do it? Be warned that this is a destructive process .. and you will have to delete existing http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309044

[ronaries10]

Have you tried using Disk Management Console to do it? Be warned that this is a destructive process .. and you will have to delete existing http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309044
Today 12:52 PM>

Well, the Disk Mgt unit is the one that took me into this problem! And no, I am not concerned about saving data as there is none on this new disk drive. But I am unable - and have been unable- to do a basic partition of the drive using MS disk mgrmt ; apparently I need to convert back to Basic - and maybe use some other software....

[ronaries10]

I rechecked the MS disk magt console -- thanks for the citation on how to convert back to basic.
Unfortunately, I do not get that option to do so.
The option I do get allows me to create a new volume on the dynamic drive - which I have not done. But nothing exists to allow me to delete or convert the dynamic disk.

Other ideas???

[ronaries10]

Still needing some help here!
I purchased and downloaded Partition Wizard Pro since it inexpensively said it could convert disk from basic/dynamic and reverse. But no joy, didn't work. Just an error message. I've emailed site for response/direction.

Could the pci card or the BlacX Thermaltak e/sata devices be contributiong to the problem? or it the Samsung 1 TB drive? I've used the Esata devices on other large drives with no difficulty....The drive is new and not previously used or partitioned.

[glc]

Zero fill the drive and start over from scratch.

[ronaries10]

Have never done a zero fill before. Questions:
1. is there any freeware available to do this? and on esata drive, large 1 TB? (samsung brand)
2. will the software see the drive? Currently, drive shows in disk mgt, as dynamic, no logical volumes, no data.

[ronaries10]

Whoa, I managed to convert the drive to basic in disk management console. I guess the partition wizard must have done something to help it along.

Thanks all help!

If I am going to use this drive primarily in Vista Business, does it make any difference if it is formatted in XP sp3?

[glc]

Doesn't matter - NTFS is NTFS.